The Ghana Tourism Authority has officially launched PANAFEST 2025 with a passionate call to amplify the movement for reparative justice through Pan-African artistic activism.
Speaking at the Accra Tourist Information Centre on Monday, June 23, the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Maame Efua Houadjeto, welcomed stakeholders from across the country and the diaspora to the global cultural celebration.
This year’s festival theme, “Let Us Speak of Reparative Justice – Pan-African Artistic Activism,” highlights the urgent need for a united African voice to address historical injustices and reclaim cultural identity through art.
“This launch is not just a ceremony. It is a statement,” Madam Houadjeto declared. “Ghana, as the Gateway to Africa, continues to open its arms to the African family and lead the charge for cultural restitution, identity reclamation, and historical truth.”
PANAFEST, which began in 1992, has grown into a globally recognized platform fostering cultural reconnection, dialogue, and healing for Africans and the diaspora.
The 2025 edition promises a robust lineup of events, including dramatic re-enactments, academic symposia, diaspora dialogues, youth conversations, and artistic showcases.
“From spoken word to digital storytelling, our creativity has always been the heartbeat of our survival,” she said, underscoring the role of the arts in both protest and healing.
Houadjeto also emphasized PANAFEST’s alignment with Ghana’s National Reset Agenda, positioning culture and heritage tourism as critical drivers of national development.
She ended with a call to action: “Let us use PANAFEST 2025 as a platform to boldly speak the truths that must be heard and reclaim the narratives that have long been distorted.”
The media launch brought together government officials, traditional leaders, international partners, artists, and members of the public in anticipation of the upcoming festival.
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